An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Pfeffer

by Friedrich Kluge

Pfeffer, masculine, from the equivalent Middle High German pfëffer, Old High German pfëffar, masculine, ‘pepper’; borrowed, as the unvarying permutation indicates, prior to the Old High German period from Latin piper (whence French poivre, Italian pepe), which assumption is supported by Dutch peper, Anglo-Saxon pipor, English pepper, Icelandic piparr (note in the non-Teutonic languages Old Slovenian pĭprŭ). The early adoption of the Latin word in Teutonic is confirmed by history. In 410 A.D. Alaric, before Rome, granted a truce, for which the city was obliged to supply, among other things, 3000 lbs. of pepper. —